Page 57 of The Billionaire's Accidental Daddy Duty
“The paternity test confirmed a ninety-eight percent match.” He blew out a breath.
“What?” I shot to my feet. “What?”
“The baby is yours.”
“Why in the hell would you say it like that?” My pulse spiked but in a good way this time. “Jesus.”
“I’m sorry. When you were in here, I thought you didn’t want to be a father. No offense.”
“None taken.” I laughed.
Who cared what Doctor Condren thought I could or couldn’t be. To an outsider looking in, my life consisted of parties, women, and work meetings. In short, the version of me the tabloids had created. A version of me, that if I were being honest, I let myself be because I was too afraid to want more out of life—something as easy, and incredibly difficult, as a family and a home.
“This is brilliant news.” I raked both hands through my hair, pacing up and down the length of my office. “He’s mine.”
“Yeah.” He laughed along with me. “Wow, I’m glad you’re happy.”
“No worries at all.”
“Good luck then.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I hit the speakerphone button to end the call.
Joey was mine. I had a son.
My gaze slowly shifted back to the rings. Suddenly, the answer was simple. Or rather, fear was no longer part of the equation. I wasn’t afraid to want this family life anymore. The realization hit me like a runaway train. I wanted a family with Isla and Joey.
I got up and darted out of my office. I needed to see her. I got as far as the hallway then remembered Isla had called in sick.
“You look lost.” Nicolas pointed at me as his gaze moved from Lisa’s empty desk then back to me. “Are you okay? You’re walking in circles.”
“Am I?” I rubbed the nape of my neck, then noticed he wasn’t alone. “Hi, there.”
“Oh, right. You haven’t met my daughter.” Nicolas proudly hugged the little girl standing next to him. “Declan, this is Chloe. Chloe, this is my friend, Declan.”
“Nice to meet you, Chloe.”
“He talks funny, Daddy.” She giggled, shoving tresses away from her pretty face.
“You’re the first one to think so.” I smiled at her.
The resemblance between the two could not be denied. Last year, Nicolas had found out he’d conceived a daughter with his ex-wife. A daughter that for four years thought someone else was her dad. In spite of the years he had lost, he hadn’t rushed to re-marry his ex. Instead, they worked out an agreement so Chloe could be with both parents. The result? Now Nicolas was happy with Louisa, his baby boy, and his daughter.
Would Harper understand if I told her I couldn’t marry her? Lisa was right. These rings were not wrong—the bride was. Harper would always have my unwavering support, financially and as a partner. But I couldn’t marry her—not while my heart belonged to someone else.
The room swayed, and I had to sit down. I let the images of Isla play in my head like a movie trailer. Over and over, I watched her smile at me. I watched her become undone in my arms. I watched her showing me how much sheloved me, too.
“Are you okay?” He gripped my shoulder to get me to look at him.
My eyes widened in surprise because how could I be so stupid to not realize this before? “I’m in love with Isla.”
Bloody hell. I was in love with Isla Vendetti.
“Please don’t.” He shook his head, blinking slowly. “The tabloids were right?”
“No, that story was all warped. Well, they got the baby thing right.”
“Wait, what?” His eyebrows shot up. “You have a baby?” He looked down at his daughter. “Crap, with Isla? No, that can’t be.”
